Agricultural News
The Latest U.S. Drought Monitor Reports Drought Conditions Likely to Develop in Much of Oklahoma
Thu, 09 Sep 2021 15:05:41 CDT
Oklahoma, along with neighboring areas of Arkansas, Kansas and Texas, ended up sandwiched between precipitation events, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor report.
Conditions in the central and northern Great Plains saw continued improvement of drought conditions. Despite recent precipitation in the northern Great Plains, hay shortages are forcing some ranchers to sell their livestock. In response to this, the USDA recently announced emergency assistance. Eastern areas of the region - from North Dakota to Kansas - saw isolated improvements thanks to continued rainfall. The heaviest rainfall in the region was observed in eastern Kansas where accumulations ranged from two to seven inches, while areas further to the north in Nebraska and the Dakotas received around one to four inches in isolated areas. Overall, the last month has brought precipitation levels ranging from 100% to 300% across widespread areas of the central and northern Plains. Despite all that rainfall, dry pockets continue to exist.
In the southern Great Plains and South, precipitation has been below normal across much of Oklahoma and Texas during the past month, leading to expansion of areas reporting abnormally dry conditions. Average temperatures were generally three to nine degrees above normal across Oklahoma and Texas.
Most of the West continued to experience dry conditions, although some residual moisture from Hurricane Nora worked its way into the Southwest leading to some isolated shower activity. That rainfall showed improvements were made in isolated areas of Arizona and New Mexico, with many cities across Arizona reporting record monsoon season precipitation. On the other hand, much of California, western Great Basin, Pacific Northwest, and the Northern Rockies have experienced drier-than-normal conditions during the past 90-day period.
To view the Contifuous U.S. Drought map, click here.
Looking ahead, from the Plains to the West, mainly dry conditions are forecasted to prevail.
To view the 6-to-10-day precipitation outlook, click here.
Temperatures are expected to be higher than normal for this time of year for the Continental U.S., except for Washington and parts of California, Oregon, Idaho and Montana.
To view the 6-to-10-day temperature outlook, click here.
In the next month drought conditions are expected to persist in the West and the western halves of the Dakotas, areas of Kansas, western Nebraska, northwest Oklahoma and the Texas panhandle also. Drought conditions are likely to develop in south-central Kansas, central Oklahoma and the Panhandles of Oklahoma and Texas.
To view the U.S. Monthly Drought Outlook map, click here.
Oklahoma
Drought conditions persist in north-eastern Oklahoma. Areas of abnormal dryness continue to grow. 27.77% of the state is currently experiencing abnormally dry conditions or worse, up from 18.43% a week ago. The Monthly Drought Outlook report shows drought development is likely for much of the state.
According to the report, Oklahomans can expect a probability of higher-than-normal temperatures and lower-than-normal precipitation in the next 6 to 10 days.
To view the Oklahoma drought map, click here.
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